Scott Robertson says the All Blacks won’t shy away from the backlash after their 33-19 loss to England, but insists the team is not losing traction with 18 months to go before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The defeat at Twickenham – New Zealand’s first loss to England at the venue in 13 years – ended their Grand Slam hopes and extended a worrying trend of blown leads, inconsistent intensity and avoidable discipline lapses. Having led 12-0 in the first half, the All Blacks were overrun after the break, with a Codie Taylor yellow card and repeated aerial errors proving costly.
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The squad has now crossed the border into Wales for the final Test of 2025, with Robertson set to make sweeping changes. But before Cardiff, the coach knows supporters want answers.
“All I can say is we have got a team that cares deeply about the black jersey and will work tirelessly to make sure that we work hard to be warriors on the field, and champions off it,” Robertson said. “We haven’t quite got those results that we have worked really hard for and we can feel it just like they do.”
The All Blacks’ season, marked by a first-ever loss to Argentina on their own soil and a record defeat to the Springboks in Wellington, has fuelled doubts around Robertson’s project, less than two years into his four-year World Cup cycle. The coach stressed the team’s culture and work ethic remain strong.
“Rest assured we are doing everything we can. We get excited, we have got an incredible group of men and players that compete hard each week. So, look, we have got 18 months. And the players, they care.”
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With assistant coach Jason Holland departing after the tour, Robertson reaffirmed his faith in the wider group.
“Of course I do. We pick these guys… We will be looking at it, again, for sure.”
Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images
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